What do people think of chuggers?
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These are the people that pester you at lunchtime on behalf of various charities. I see the same people every day but just wearing different T-shirts. Quite often they are over familiar and a bit rude.
I would rather make a note of the charity and make a donation independently just so the chuggers don't get any commission. I know this makes me sound grumpy but they do annoy me and I don't have any objection to charity at all.
Answers (22)
I think there is a real need to have these people controlled especially as they effectively block the pavements at lunchtimes. I too am pestered on a daily basis by numerous charities who say they only want my name and address. I already give to charities that I respect and admire and undertake work that I am truly supportive of but these people behave like vultures and as you say are quite rude when you decline to talk to them.
I disagree with that method of fundraising.
In my opinion, people should donate to a charity because they care about the cause or want to help for a specific reason. I never appreciate being pestered to donate to charity, and if anything would be put off donating to a charity if they spent money employing staff to stand on the streets hassling passers-by.
I donate a lot of my time and money to certain charities, because I have genuine reason to and believe in their causes, but I've had terrible tactics employed on me in the past, including (when I was 18 and my youngest brother was 2), being pulled aside and asked 'Is that your son? Ah, your brother. Now, imagine him dying of some painful condition in the coming months. It's sudden, and you don't expect it, but he's got the condition right now. That's what happens to hundreds of families every year'.
That is a terrible thing to do to you. Many of us on here help charities out in various ways.
it is bad i agree
That's awful! Can't believe they said that to you. It would be worse if he had told that to your brother about you, but still, it was your 2 year old brother. That's not on.
how dreadful cpj1987! how completely bang out of order!
You should not be pushed into donating money and you should not have these people badger you into it
Completely agree and if anything I think they probably put people off a lot of the time.
Well they put me off and i do a lot for charity
Exactly. Could not put it any better! Even if they were present on the street, I'd rather they be at a stall for example where you approach them, than you being hassled by them. In the centre of brum you will get asked about 5 or 6 times from one street about the same charity! So annoying!! The only reason I don't say anything is because it is for a good cause.
very good point
I don't like them. Best to support the charities you want to support by sending money directly to them. We should not be made to feel guilty by these people especially if we already donate.
Donating money directly is best as these people must be getting paid for what they do. I'd rather the charity got more of the donations.
Yes I agree - and they are using emotional blackmail to make you donate. It's hard to say no - you appear to be hard-hearted, but that's what you should do if we want to stop this happening.
I have seen these positions advertised with an hourly rate of £8-9 and I think they get bonuses for signing up a certain number of people.
Oh really? - that's pretty good pay they are getting. No wonder they try so hard.
I think the amount they get paid is shocking. Why don't they do it for charity?
I cannot believe how much they get paid!! That's so hypocritical!! I'd have a clause in my contract making them pay some of my wages to the charity itself, and would push the employees higher up than me to do the same. It annoys me anyway, but this just takes it too far. I always thought they were volunteers!!! Are some volunteers or are they all employeed??
one of my friends used to work for a company that phoned people looking for donations for charities and they'd take a percentage of all donations taken for that charity! its a very similar job and equally offensive! of course some people really are volenteers but they tend to be better mannered and friendlier!
Where i live we used to be over-run with chuggers, but i haven't seen one in at least a year now. I don't like them, they're pushy, rude, and won't take 'no thank you' for an answer. When they try to tell me how wonderful 'their' charity is, i always want to say to them...'if you really think it's a wonderful charity, then go volunteer for them instead of taking money to pester other people'. But of course, i'm too polite to do that, so i just say 'no thank you, i prefer to give direct'.
I'm glad I'm not the only grump that doesn't like them!
Are you suggesting i'm a grump?! ;)
haha, oops... you know when you think you may have put the wrong thing??? ... joking, hee, =P.
you guys make me giggle! :)
You are not grumps guys. I think that we all pretty much agree that the practice is not an ideal way of raising money and prefer that unpaid volunteers do the fundraising so that all the money goes to the charity. I suppose though that the sad fact remains that unless approached in this way many people do not think of giving to charity - and some money collected is better than none.
If i wish to give to charity i will - i dont need someone asking me to do so. I tend to just say no thanks, avoid ey econtact and keep walking if i see these people.
you must have a dont mess with me aura! very jealous i never manage to pull that off!
Just got fed up of all the hounding over time. I'm the same with them on the phone just say no thanks and hang up. I know its their job but i will donate if i wish to not cos asked to.
Well I never knew that that's what they are called!! I admit that I find it very annoying as they seem to make a bee line for you even if you do whatever you can to avoid any form of eye contact! You don't sound grumpy MarkX and I sympathize totally. I like to choose when and where I donate to charity and it annoys me that they work on the 'embarrassment' factor to get people to hand over their money in public.
yes i agree frenchwoodgirl! i hate the way they peer into your purse and give you the "is that all your giving" look when they see a note! it also makes me worry that im advertising that i have money on me if any pickpockets are watching!
Ah, frenchwoodgirl, 'chugger' is a slang joining of the words 'charity' and 'mugger', therefore 'chugger'. Well named, huh?!
Thanks fruitcake was wondering how the term came about and how appropriate!!
You're welcome!
I'm very much the same. It's a hard enough time for most people at the moment in this current climate so to have someone trying to part you with your cash on your lunchtime is just too much! I give to the charities who I feel deserve when I can, I don't need someone trying to get my bank details from me!!
yes i agree i think they damage all charities causes with this in-your-face-give-us-your-money stuff. it seems to be a national annoyance!
I really hate that. I was recently approached by a chugger (doubtless genuine and working in Tesco's foyer) for a cause that I thought was a good one. I offered to make a donation but he would not take it as cash but wanted bank details which I absolutely refuse to give out on the street.
Before this question I didn't even know what chuggers were, so thank you first off for explaining what they are. I know now what you mean, and yes I am very annoyed at it all, probably didn't help by me reading down this page!! Firstly, can't believe they get paid!! I always presumed they were volunteers for the charities! I'm hoping there are still some good souls out there who do volunteering for their favourtie charity. Secondly, why are they everywhere?? When I go into the town centre in Birmingham there is a street which will have 10-15 people of the same charity there on a saturday. You can guarantee you will be asked at least 4 times each time you walk down it.
I would much prefer, and admire more, if the charity had a stand or a stall on the high street with their banners etc, whatever they need, and wait for people to come and approach them. It annoys me when I am already happy with how much I give to charity. Of course, I'd love to be able to give more, but at the moment it's just not possible. Don't worry MarkX, think I've joined you on the grumpy side!! Though I don't think what you put sounded very grumpy to me, it was quite light-hearted!!
their are definetly some good souls! last time i went to a rugby match the streets were lined with genuine volunteers raising money for a boy who had been paraliased playing rugby. i think mostly relatives of the poor boy.
Good, I'm really glad that there are some. I still can't get over the fact that some are paid to do it. If I had the time, I'd be more than happy to offer, as I'm sure most others would. Instead of the time though I make up for it by donating to a charity I consider to be the best at the point of donating. =)
they annoy me as well! one women refused to move out of my way even though she had already got me twice in the same day, also i was a member of the charity anyway! next week she was there again and was her usual nippy self, so i stood on her toes heavily. she avoids me now :) now im not for violence but that was very very very worth it!
You're brave! I admire your guts, she deserved it.
thanks! and not really i was irratated, you ask for money if your collecting for charity you dont demand it!
I bet she's not so nippy anymore - lol!
haha at least not to me thank god! :)
Brilliant, well done!
thanks :)
I carry on walking and look them straight in the eyes and smile, and say 'no thanks -it always works
One of these charity workers called at my house the other day, which was rather imposing of them. Before they started speaking, I said no thanks, I already donate to other charities and am not looking to donate to any more at the moment.
Ob, this is a job for them so they need to earn money but I also like to decided who I donate to without being hassled.
Apparently they make a lot of money for charities. My brother worked for one of these charities for 2 weeks but got sacked because he refused to bound up to people and get in their face, and use all that ridiculous lingo some of them use.
I don't even think they work directly for the charity - the charity signs to an agency who employs chuggers. Some of these agencies are worse than others for their terrible tactics
probably the best way of dealing with them! i hope you told them to get lost! i hate door to door sales people, i refuse to feel guilty in my own home when i already give to charity! yes ive heard that their outside agencies employees rather than dedicated charity helpers.
I didn't :) but usually I would be very assertive and say, 'no thanks'. However, she caught me on a day when I wasn't very well so I was feeling sorry for myself - this made it harder for me to get rid. Still managed to get her leave pretty quickly - the only thing that works for me is to say 'No thanks' and really mean it.
We had one at our house a few months ago at about 8:40 PM. I pointed out it was quite late and he had the cheek to start arguing with me on my doorstep about how he was legally allowed to call until 9PM! I don't care! Not only are you bothering me in my own home you are starting an argument as well.
Exact same approach that I use, Rosie, and it works for me. I must make a certain face to go with the 'no, thanks' because they don't bother me again if I pass the street again. Or I may just say 'I am in a hurry', which normally I am, and they realise it is the case as I am 'overtaking' everyone on the pavement, and they leave me to it. The best way is to do it before they say anything to you.
Yes, the I'm in hurry works - especially as they can't keep up with you - haha!
I now what you go through on days like that. I just say sorry, not today..with of course a smile.
..But there are days, where you just want to........
haha your very polite de-vale!
With the highest skill of retention :)
haha, =). It can be annoying, but I suppose they are doing it for a good cause, most of the time. It's got that bad at times in birmingham that people, including myself, just walk past them after being asked for the 6th time in 2 minutes!
When I have said not today they usually reply 'tomorrow then?'.
I admire your 'retention', De-Vale :)
If in town I try to avoid them at all costs - I usually walk around with my phone in my hand and if i see them i just put it up to my ear and pretend to be in conversation.
One called at my house last night (during the footy) wanting to tell me what good works the charity do. I told her I give my money to the church and let them decide where to send my money. She was quite persistent though.
When they say 'can you spare a minute for cancer research' just reply ' ok, but we wont get much done!'
I find them annoying, Red cross spoke to me at my door the other day, i asked if they had a leaflet to read through and they said no due to costs, fair enough, said i'd look at their website as i could commit at that time and they just kept talking at me. I had to be quite blunt before they left.
I would love to donate to charity but cannot afford it at the moment and don't thing peole should feel bullied into it.
You are right, cffalco, and you shouldn't feel guilty about it. People should donate if the cause feels right to them and when their circumstances permit.
My first question to chuggers is How much do you donate and do you have it taken directly out of your wages. They very rarely answer and walk away. I donate to charity but wont be bullied by these people who's only interest is to make money off charitable organisations.
Did not know what they were until now, they can be a pain, some big issue sellers can also get in your face.
I am always pleasant to them - at least smiling and shaking my head if I don't have time - but I think there are way too many, and that some of them are WAY too aggressive. I know charities are desperate, but I don't like feeling harassed. I give to a number, and am happy that I am doing my bit. They would be better off taking a gentler approach, and letting people think about it - I'm not going to give my bank details to some random person in the street after a 5 minute conversation!
I was looking at your posting MarkX about chuggers and I was reminded of when I was on holiday one year and had taken the train to visit Carlisle and we had only just sat down when a young woman rushed over to us gushing and shoving a tin under noses asking for money for a charity. She was really dreadful and so loud. Whilst having our lunch we observed her rushing from one man to another and trying to get them to part with their money. What a way to go on and so offputting.
I always ask what they contribute to the charity they are reluctant to give an anwser and tend to go else where a bit quick.
Oh thats a good one noddy, I'll remember that. I'm usually a 'no thank you' and continue walking..hate being hassled
That's because they are paid to do what they do, and are not necessarily even interested in the charity they're trying to get us to donate to.
If they have no interest in the charity they should'nt use it to create an income for them selfs.
I totally agree with you on that, Noddy.
I didn't realise they were paid, I though tin collections were all done by volunteers.
That makes me even less likely to give to them and more likely to be rude to them!
I will continue to give regular donations to my chosen organisations. My pocket, like everybody else's is not a bottomless pit.
Is it only the ones who try to get you to sign the direct debits who are paid, or the ones with tins too?
Yes, the tin collectors are volunteers, but the chuggers are paid (ask them!) and the phone callers who want you to sign up to direct debits are usually paid as well. I don't agree with that. If you believe in a charity, do it as a volunteer!
I donate to the same charities regularly and I would not be influenced by chuggers,
I do think they can be a bit much. Where I live there is a whole army of them and part of the high street seems to be a game of cat and mouse - chuggers vs. shoppers.
I hate the way they make you feel so guilty! I seriously doubt any of them actually enjoy the job, although some of them can be a bit forceful a lot of them seem nice enough.
Absolute pests, I live in Manchester City Centre and there isnt a day that goes by when there arent some reps that try to stop me. I have started walking home via the backstreets just to avoid them! They are so so annoying. I bet they would be good working in an outbound call centre as they must deal with so many knock backs day in day out!
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Their rudeness usually manifests itself in a 'light hearted' comment meant to humiliate you slightly. They don't know anything about our personal lives or circumstances.
Any person that wants to humiliate me in a 'light hearted' way is doing a diservice to me, to themselves and to the charity they represent. Your right they know nothing of our personal lives or circumstances and I was brought up to treat people with respect irrespective of personal judgements or impressions. If they are trained to approach people in that manner then their trainers shold be placed in stocks and humiliated in a light hearted way with rotten vegtable matter!! I'd pay good money to charity to have a throw at them!
Totally agree Parchester. Good on you, you shouldn't be made to feel you should contribute more. If you are happy with what you are paying, then why should you be disrupted so much??